Injuries of all kinds need to be taken very seriously when they are the result of another person's negligence. In such cases, these accidents are preventable and the hardships that victims face could have been prevented. This is why the Charpentier Law Firm takes every case it receives seriously. Clients throughout the Cocoa, Melbourne, and Titusville region have been able to turn to our attorneys in their time of need and seek justice against those who have caused them harm.

What is quadriplegia?

Also known as tetraplegia, quadriplegia is a kind of permanent paralysis that involves the loss of normal movement and sensation in all of the extremities (i.e., the arms and the legs). When a person is a quadriplegic, he or she needs special medical care and additional help simply accomplishing normal tasks given the physical limitations of the injury.

Common Causes of Quadriplegia

Quadriplegia occurs when the upper portions of the spine closer to the neck become damaged. This part of the spine is known as the cervical vertebrae. Some incidents that can cause a person to become a quadriplegic include:

Auto accidents

Bike accidents

Assaults

Major falls

Serious workplace injuries

Sports injuries

How does quadriplegia differ from paraplegia?

While both of these are permanent forms of paralysis, paraplegia refers to the loss of the use of the lower extremities. Paraplegia usually is the result of injuries that are lower on the spinal cord, hence the ability to move the upper body and the arms in many paraplegics.

Levels of Quadriplegia

There are different classifications of quadriplegia that are based on the position of the injury along the spinal column.

C1 and C2 spinal cord injuries are the most serious and involve the topmost vertebrae of the neck. Spinal cord injuries classified C4 and above mean that victims will need special breathing assistance (i.e., a mechanical ventilator). C5, C6, and C7 injury victims will have limited or impaired movement of shoulders, arms, wrists, and fingers.

The Challenges Faced by Quadriplegics

Given the nature of quadriplegia, accident victims face major struggles ahead as employment options are severely limited if at all feasible. Long-term medical attention is necessary, and the same goes for basic assistance to accomplish basic tasks that the healthy and able-bodied often take for granted. It's not uncommon for quadriplegics to suffer from depression given the extent of their injuries and the major changes to overall quality of life.

How Our Legal Team Can Help Victims and Their Loved Ones

Our lawyers will fight for the rights of the injured with great diligence, helping to recover the cost of medical bills following the accident. More importantly, we will seek compensation to cover the long-term needs of accident victims. We want to make sure that you and your loved ones can still lead the fullest lives possible in spite of such tragic circumstances.

Meet With Our Attorneys to Learn About Your Legal Rights

For more information about your legal options following a catastrophic injury, it's important that you contact our personal injury law firm today. Our team will fight diligently for you each step of the way to ensure that you receive just compensation given the new realities of life that you and your loved ones must face.